‘Black Ship’ festival splits over dispute with Newport mayor

June 13, 2018

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — An alleged dispute has split the “Black Ships” festival into two in Rhode Island this year.

The Newport Daily News reports the city of Newport has hosted the Black Ships Festival with the Japan-America Society for over three decades. The festival celebrates Newport’s Japanese sister city, Shimoda, along with Commodore Matthew Perry’s 1853 visit to Japan.